Scattered to gregarious under both hardwood and conifers; in our area abundant under Monterey pine; fruiting from early fall to mid-winter.

Edibility

Inedible; the unpleasant odor and peppery taste are obvious deterrents.

Comments

Russula cerolens is recognized by a sticky (when moist) brown
cap with a tuberculate-striate margin, gills and stipe which develop brown
discolorations, and an unpleasant "burnt"odor at maturity. It
fruits abundantly in the early fall often with Chroogomphus vinicolor
and Suillus pungens under Monterey pine. Until recently, Russula amoenolens or Russula pectinatoides was the name applied locally to this mushroom.